Carbohydrates and lipids are essential for growth,

movement, and other bodily processes. Together

with protein, these substances are collectively
referred to as biomolecules, which provide the
body energy that is measured in calories. In
physical sciences, a calorie is the amount of
energy or heat required to raise the temperature
of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. In
nutrition, however, a food Calorie, capitalized, is
actually a kilocalorie (1 kcal= 1000 calories).
About 4 kcal/g (17kJ) can be obtained from
carbohydrates, 9 kcal/g (37kj) from fats, and 4
kcal/g (17 kj) from proteins. Carbohydrates, fats,
and proteins are also called nutrients, which
along with some minerals needed in large
amounts, are called macronutrients.
Micronutrients include vitamins and other
minerals and are required only in small amounts.